(HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA)- Hard rock foursome Fireball Ministry is releasing the 180 gram white vinyl pressing of their March 2010 self-titled album FIREBALL MINISTRY (Restricted Release) on December 22, 2010 also via Restricted Release. Known by fans and critics alike as an uncompromising, unpretentious and entirely authentic hard rock force, Fireball Ministry’s REV. JAMES A. ROTA II (guitar, vocals), EMILY J. BURTON (guitar), JOHN ORESHNICK (drums) and JOHNY CHOW (bass) re-teamed with renowned producer/engineer Andrew Alekel (Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters), The Second Great Awakening (Nuclear Blast) for the self-titled album. “We are very excited to have a release on vinyl—it’s the way nature intended music to be heard,” says front-man Rev. James A. Rota II. Recorded at Grandmaster in Hollywood, with additional vocals tracked at Dave Grohl’s 606 Studio, Fireball Ministry’s ten-track, collector’s edition LP has a limited run of 1,000 copies and is the band’s second release without a traditional label. The FIREBALL MINISTRY vinyl pressing is currently available for pre-order at www.FireballMinistry.com and includes the full album digital download and bonus video for “Butcher, Faker, Policy Maker.”

Following is the track listing for FIREBALL MINISTRY (Restricted Release):

1) Hard Lines
2) Fallen Believers
3) Thought It Out
4) Followed By a Fall
5) Kick Back
6) Butcher, Faker, Policy Maker
7) End of Story
8) Common Enemy
9) Sleeping With Angels
10) In Their Own Right

ABOUT THE BAND Since forming in 1999, FIREBALL MINISTRY’s REV. JAMES A. ROTA II (guitar, vocals), EMILY J. BURTON (guitar), JOHN ORESHNICK (drums) and JOHNY CHOW (bass) have produced an arsenal of heavy-hitting albums including: Ou Est La Rock? (Bongload Custom Records, 1999); FMEP (Small Stone Recordings, 2001);The Second Great Awakening (Nuclear Blast, 2003); Their Rock is Not Our Rock (Liquor & Poker Music, 2005); and Fireball Ministry (Restricted Release, 2010). Proving the legitimacy of their hard rock and metal roots, Fireball Ministry has been invited to share the stages of legendary music icons across the globe; among them: Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heap, Motorhead, and Slayer. FIREBALL MINISTRY’s songs have appeared on numerous TV shows and films including most recently three songs “Kick Back,” “End of Story,” and “Fallen Believers,” on the highly-acclaimed FX Network show “Sons of Anarchy.” “Choker” was featured on the award-winning HBO series “The Sopranos” while “Daughter of the Damned” was in the Christian Slater feature film Alone In The Dark. In addition to having six songs appear on MTV’s “Viva La Bam” series, FIREBALL’s music has also appeared extensively in the world of extreme action sports and gaming, “King” and “Flatline” were featured in the Billabong “Odyssey” movie and “The Broken” in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) video game “WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW.”www.FireballMinistry.com

LAMB OF GOD and Epic Records are pleased to announce a special holiday discount on the popular Super Deluxe Hourglass set, available now at 20% off of the original price. Fans can receive the 20% discount by using purchase code “LAMBOFGOD20” at this link. Act now to obtain this unique deal!

LAMB OF GOD is offering multiple attractive Hourglass gift packages and anthologies available for your gift-giving needs. The Hourglass gift packages and anthologies come in multiple varieties and sizes, making them easy to purchase at any price range. Whether you are frugal or you like to splurge, the Hourglass gift packages and anthologies are a perfect gift for any LAMB OF GOD fan.

LAMB OF GOD and Epic Records have multiple gift options available now for purchase at www.lamb-of-god.com and Amazon.com, including the Vinyl Box Set, USB Box Set, Deluxe Set and Super Deluxe Set (as seen above)! The 3 CD Anthology can be purchased at your local record store. See below for all available Hourglass package and anthology varieties!

Available Hourglass packages include:

Hourglass: Vol 1 – The Underground Years – Available in stores only!

13 of the most choice Lamb of God songs from their early years. Culled from their first album Burn The Priest, their debut as Lamb of God, New American Gospel, and the album that put them on the map, As The Palaces Burn.

Hourglass: Vol 2 – The Epic Years – Available in stores only!

13 of the most choice Lamb of God songs from their career on Epic Records to this point. Both Grammy nominated songs “Redneck” and “Set To Fail” are surrounded by fan favorite anthems and crushing riffs from Ashes Of The Wake to Sacrament to 2009’s #2 debut Wrath.

Hourglass: The 3 CD Anthology – Available in stores only!

The ultimate Lamb of God retrospective: 44 tracks on 3 CDs. Volumes 1 and 2 join Volume 3 containing 18 rare or never heard before songs. Included are Japanese issued bonus tracks, multiple rehearsal demos, along side the 8 songs recorded prior to Burn The Priest.

Hourglass: The Vinyl Box Set

All 6 Lamb of God Studio albums for the first time on 180 Gram vinyl in a Linen-wrapped collectors box. Includes Burn The Priest, New American Gospel, As The Palaces Burn, Ashes of the Wake, Sacrament, and Wrath.

Hourglass: The USB Box Set

All 6 Lamb of God studio albums on individual USB drives in a cigarette box shaped collectors package. Includes Burn The Priest, New American Gospel, As The Palaces Burn, Ashes of the Wake, Sacrament, and Wrath.

Hourglass: The Deluxe Set

The collectors set including The 3 CD Anthology, The Vinyl Box set, The USB Box Set, and a Linen bound 144 page book of the art of Lamb of God as created by K3n Adams including designs for tour passes, albums, t-shirts, and his commentary on them.

Hourglass: The Super Deluxe Set

The limited edition definitive collectors set including a Mark Morton Signature Series Jackson Dominion D2, A 4’x6’ Pure American metal Flag, The 3 CD Anthology, The Vinyl Box Set, The USB set, the Book, an Hourglass sticker, and a signed 8×10 in a personalized Lamb of God Coffin Case. Only 300 will ever be made!

To order your Hourglass packages and to learn more about LAMB OF GOD, please visit www.lamb-of-god.com

GEORGE LYNCH

INTERVIEW BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

George Lynch is one of the most popular and influential guitarists to emerge from the ’80s-era heavy metal/hard rock scene. Lynch is best known for his work with platinum sellers Dokken whose albums UNDER LOCK AND KEY and BACK FOR THE ATTACK went to platinum in the mid 80’s. In 1988 Don Dokken and Lynch found it impossible to continue in the same band together and as a result the band broke up. Don Dokken decided to start his solo career whereas Lynch decided to form a new band called Lynch Mob. Joining Lynch in the new outfit was singer Oni Logan, bassist Anthony Esposito, and former Dokken colleague Mick Brown. The band issued their debut album, WICKED SENSATION, in 1990. WICKED SENSATION became another milestone in Lynch’s career and it did went gold in States with over 500 000 copies sold. The sophomore album LYNCH MOB presented a new lead singer Robert Mason and it was released in 1992. The second album failed to reach its predecessors success and soon band was disbanded. Lynch released a solo album called SACRED GROOVE in 1993 with various famous guests including Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Mandy Lion before rejoining Dokken in 1994. The reunited band released two studio albums: DYSFUNCTIONAL and SHADOWLIFE before Lynch decided to leave again. The late ’90s/early 21st century saw Lynch alternate between issuing albums with the Lynch Mob (with varying members) and as a solo artist resulting in such further titles as 1999’s SMOKE THIS, 2003’s WICKED UNDERGROUND and FURIOUS GEORGE in 2004. In 2010 it was officially announced that Oni Logan and Lynch will rejoin their forces again and as a result SMOKE AND MIRRORS was released in 2009. The world followed and in late 2010 the renewed band; Lynch, Logan, bassist Robbie Crane and drummer Brian Tichy finally arrived in Scandinavia. In Gothenburg in Sweden I had chance to sit down Mr. Lynch himself and talk about various topics including the reunion with Logan, Souls of We, the past as well as a possible Dokken reunion… read on…

Armando Acosta, legendary drummer with SAINT VITUS, has passed away at the age of 58. He passed away on Thanksgiving day at 2am, he was 58 years old. Armando was one of the original Saint Vitus members joining the band in 1979 when they were known as Tyrant. Armando’s drumming was crucial element to the Vitus sound. He was replaced by Henry Vasquez in 2009,

Band Announces NYC Meet And Greet; Lawless Darkness Earns The #2 Spot On Decibel Magazine’s Top 40 Albums of 2010!Swedish black metal titans WATAIN have been setting North America ablaze with a sound and stage show that is a true assault to the senses. Touring in support of their Lawless Darkness full-length released via Season Of Mist earlier this year, the wild ride commenced in Pittsburgh on November 6 and has been sweeping its way across the country with relentless fury. Support bands, Goatwhore and Black Anvil, have helped make the tour package one of the most pummeling (and talked about) of the year.

Said WATAIN in a collective statement: “The Lawless Darkness Tour marches on relentlessly across the States. Greetings to the legions of hungry fiends that have come out so far, and to all of you who have brought us gifts and artifacts for the stage, you will not be forgotten! It has been a wild ride, yet it is far from over… Denial of the flesh; Denial of the cunt; we are the cold seed of Satanas!”

WATAIN‘s final U.S. performance of the tour will happen this Thursday at Santos Party House in New York City. Following the show is a scheduled meet and greet at Duff’s in Brooklyn. Check out the flyer HERE:

Lawless Darkness was released via Season Of Mist on June 7. Recorded at Necromorbus Studio (Deathspell Omega, Funeral Mist, Ondskapt, etc.) in Alvik, Sweden with cover art by Zbigniew M. Bielak, the record continues to reap critical accolades from press nationwide and abroad. The band scored cover spots in some of metal’s most esteemed publications including Decibel, Terrorizer, and Subterranea (Metal Hammer’s extreme metal supplement) and the “Reaping Death,” single was certified gold in Sweden for sales in excess of 10,000 copies. In addition, Lawless Darkness recently earned the #2 position in Decibel Magazine’s Top 40 Albums Of 2010 [January 2011 issue]. View the feature HERE.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – November 30, 2010 – Kings of Swedish death metal AMON AMARTH have just announced the title of the band’s forthcoming album as Surtur Rising. Due out in the spring of 2011, Surtur Rising marks the group’s 8th full-length studio release and undoubtedly one of 2011’s most anticipated releases by fans and critics alike. Surtur Rising is the follow up to the highly acclaimed, 2008 release, Twilight of the Thunder God, which landed the #7 spot in Revolver Magazine’s Top 20 Albums of 2008 and what Metal Sucks called “[a] bottomless gauntlet of riffs that the band endlessly takes gargantuan swigs from, sounding both lush and emotive as well as skull crushingly heavy… every goddamn one is a chest-beating anthem.” Outburn declared how Twilight of the Thunder God “will render you nothing short of ecstatic” and Time Out New York noted that “Amon Amarth plays some of the most unabashedly epic metal you’re likely to find these days.” Be sure to stay tuned to MetalBlade.com for more details on Surtur Rising.

Portland punishers DARKBLACK are preparing for their eight-show West Coast tour Which kicks off this Wednesday, in celebration of their new Midnight Wraith EP, to be released the same day. Several shows have been altered since previous announcements; see the newest dates below. Early reviews of Midnight Wraith are flowing in now from domestic and foreign media outlets, brimming with praise of the band’s primal, slick approach to traditional heavy metal on the newest material from the band. Composed of five unrelenting heavy metal anthems realized in the murky gloom of the band’s hometown of Portland, Oregon and recorded at Revolver Studios by Nalin Silva, Midnight Wraith tells tales of death, betrayal, unholy spirits and fantastic battles. Midnight Wraith will be released via San Jose, California-based Stormspell Records, who also handled the band’s Sellsword album in 2009.

Drummer Dennis Leeflang has joined vocalist Ted Poley’s (Danger Danger) solo touring band. Leeflang most recently toured with Queen of Metal, Lita Ford in the summer and fall of 2009 all over Europe and the United States, playing such prestigious events such as the Bang Your Head Festival, Gods of Metal and The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Dennis joins bassist Doug Odell (Ice Age), guitarist Maz Mazza (40Ft. Ringo, Detroit Cheetah), and guitarist/keyboardist Paul LaPlaca (Chris Caffrey solo, Zandelle) as Poley’s newest line up.

Leeflang expresses his excitement to be playing with Ted: “Ted is a drummer himself and we get a total kick about jamming together. He appreciates my playing in a way I’m not used to and at the same time when Ted has a suggestion, it actually makes sense! I’m really looking forward to going on the road with this band next year.” The band will make its live performance debut at Klubben Fryshuset in Stockholm Sweden on December 3, 2010.

Leeflang, who is most known for his work as the long time drummer for Bumblefoot, aka Ron Thal, guitarist of Guns N Roses, reflects on how busy the last year has been for him, stating “It’s been a pretty hectic year for me, but that’s how I like it. I’m a workaholic. I had just started working on new material with Bumblefoot when we got the call from Lita Ford and jumped on the road with her for 3 months with 36 hours to learn her set. It’s been non-stop from that point on. After we got off the road with Lita, I’ve been locked up in my studio recording for a ton of different projects. Not just playing and recording my own drum tracks, but also engineering a variety of sessions ranging from vocals to strings. Most recently I’ve been recording drums for, as well as engineering and producing the first album in over 20 years by 80’s thrash metal pioneers I.N.C. (Indestructible Noise Command). The album will be mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom (Opeth, Soilwork, Hammerfall, In Flames, Bring Me The Horizon), which is very exciting. Then there are several local NYC bands I work with and I got married this year. My focus for 2011 will definitely be Ted’s band, though. Playing live is what I love the most.”

Besides the INC release, the material Leeflang has been working on with Bumblefoot will also soon be released. Available online only as individual song releases, fans can expect the tracks to be released over the next few months.

Considering that Poley recently signed with ARM Entertainment (management firm of such notable talent as Bret Michaels, L.A.Guns and Dokken), it appears Leeflang’s busy schedule won’t end just yet.

Legendary NOLA sludge collective EYEHATEGOD will kick off another stretch of tour dates in support of absolutely nothing tomorrow in Birmingham, Alabama at the Bottletree. From there the band will pillage their way through 13 more cities before heading back home in time for holiday hedonism. Supporting the band in the pandemonium will be Phobia, as well as Crowbar, Goatwhore and Zoroaster on select dates [see listing below]. Commented vocalist Mike Williams: “EYEHATEGOD are excited to head out on this next USA trek and ready to do damage. EHG tours are one of a kind; each unique with its own abusive, miserable, broken features. Miss them now and maybe miss them forever…” Added drummer Joey LaCaze: “The band is probably the tightest its ever been and different, more obscure songs have been added to the traditional set of all-time favorites. Get in the right frame of mind and vent all of your holiday frustrations.”

AS THEY SLEEP, THELIVELINE.COM TEAM UP FOR ‘DYNASTY’ CD/T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY‘Dynasty’ out now on Solid State Records

DETROIT, MI – Motor City technical death metal act, As They Sleep, and TheLiveLine.com have teamed up for a special CD/t-shirt giveaway, to celebrate the release of As They Sleep’s Solid State Records debut, Dynasty, which hit stores last week. The site has provided As They Sleep with its own toll free number: (702) 967-9034, for fans to call in and leave a voice message explaining to the band why they deserve to win the prize pack. The most creative, sincere, and more importantly, METAL, message will be selected by the band as the winner. Head over to: http://www.theliveline.com/astheysleep to hear a special voice message from As They Sleep vocalist, Aaron Bridgewater, for all the details.

TheLiveLine.com’s innovative platform serves as a way for fans to phone in and leave voice messages for their favorite artists, and for artists to keep fans informed of what is going on in their world via audio blogs. Fans are also encouraged to create their own TheLiveLine.com profile to keep track of exclusive updates from As They Sleep and other artists around the globe.

As They Sleep will continue to pummel the heavy metal masses on a West Coast run in support of Dynasty, as part of the “Solid State Records: A Very Metal Christmas Tour”, which is set to kick off tomorrow in El Paso, TX. Living Sacrifice will headline the tour, with label-mates, Becoming the Archetype and To Speak of Wolves, rounding out the lineup. Dynasty – a concept album with a complex focus on the rise and fall of empires throughout history –is available in stores everywhere, and online through the Solid State Records webstore at: http://zambooie.com/details.tpl?sku=SSRCD26491 and iTunes at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dynasty/id401374105.

The track list for Dynasty is…1. Oracle of the Dead2. To the Republic3. The Third Reich4. Bedlam at the Nile5. The Darkest Ages6. Ritual7. The Offering8. Attila9. Poseidon10. God of War11. The Unseen

The music video for the first single off Dynasty, “Oracle of the Dead”, will premiere in the coming weeks. A behind the scenes video blog of the “Oracle of the Dead” video shoot can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWhJqkZ6lAA.

Swedish heavy metallers ENFORCER have released their official new music video for the song “Midnight Vice”.

Watch the new video now:

The music video for “Midnight Vice” was shot by famed director PATRIC ULLAEUS (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE) and sees ENFORCER rocking out in a Swedish bar and around the city of Stockholm.

“Midnight Vice” is taken from the band’s critically acclaimed new album, DIAMONDS.

ENFORCER are currently on the road in Europe with Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE. Catch them live at the following remaining shows:

ENFORCER are also set to appear in-store at Earache Records’ recently announced Christmas pop-up shop in Nottingham, UK on Saturday, 11th December for a signing session, where an ultra-rare ENFORCER/VOLTURE 7″ split vinyl will be exclusively available. ENFORCER are also due to play at Earache’s Xmas Party in Nottingham on the same night. For more information, head to http://www.earache.com/party2010

Andrew Haug drummer from Australia’s CONTRIVE caught up with METALLICA’s Lars Ulrich for a Radio interview on Thursday November 18 in Melbourne. During the chat Haug put to Lars a role reversal challenge with this comical result, enjoy. PLEASE NOTE: Lars was NOT offended in the slightest, so be happy & remember Tallica loves you! \m/

International best-selling true crime author and MetalSucks contributor Corey Mitchell is proud to announce the esteemed speakers for his “Reel Murder: From Crime Scene to Big Screen” panel for the 2011 SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival, scheduled for March 15, 2011.

Mitchell has gathered together some of the biggest, brightest, and most controversial names in true crime filmmaking including (in alphabetical order):

PHILIP H. ANSELMO – former lead singer of Pantera/frontman for Down. Anselmo is a huge supporter of true crime-based films and composer of the underground cult classic, The Manson Family;

HART D. FISHER – the “most dangerous man in America” and notorious director of the indie serial killer feature, The Garbage Man. Fisher is the publisher of Boneyard Press comics and creator of the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer comic book;

JOHN McNAUGHTON – acclaimed director of Mad Dog and Glory and Wild Things. Creator of one of the most revered true crime-based films of all time, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer;

COREY MITCHELL, moderator – Los Angeles Times best-selling true crime author of several books including Pure Murder and Savage Son. Founder of Reel Crime and In Cold Blog, and former Hollywood crime blogger for the Discovery Channel. Mitchell also blogs for MetalSucks and Bloody Disgusting.

CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC have reached an agreement with Pennsylvania’s ARGUS for the release of their new album entitled Boldly Strides The Doomed.

ARGUS was formed in 2007 and features Bruce Balich of Penance fame on vocals. They released their self-titled debut album on Shadow Kingdom records in 2009, which was greeted warmly by the metal press immediately, Decibel Magazine describing them as “…a chest-thumping display of epic heavy metal as performed by a bunch of staunch doom metal fans. Indeed, ARGUS are all about big riffs, galloping anthems, dark melodies and tube amps.”

The recordings of Boldly Stride The Doomed will take place at Soundscape Studios in Pittsburgh. The initial tracking sessions are set to begin this week and will continue throughout December and January. The master of heavy metal wizardry Dave Watson (Icarus Witch, Mantic Ritual, Crown The Lost) will be at the engineering and production helm once again. The album is set to contain approximately eight or nine songs, including track titles such as “A Curse On The World,” “The Ladder,” “42-7-29” and “Durendal.” As Metalreview.com said, “…strangers to the band who prefer their metal melodic, galloping and built on a classic doom foundation, consider ARGUS your call to arms…”

ARGUS will perform on the 16th of April 2011 at the Hammer Of Doom V Festival, the annual doom and epic metal appointment in Würzburg, Germany, where they’ll have the chance to perform with a cast of incredible bands such as Pentagram, While Heaven Wept, Atlantean Kodex, Solstice and many more.

Boldly Strides The Doomed will be released by CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC simultaneously on CD, vinyl and digital form on the 3rd of May 2011.